Rhu: Meeting the Consul.
Posted on Tue Jul 14th, 2026 @ 11:01am by Commander Rhupert Tyree
1,144 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Shore Leave: Earth
Location: Nice, France
Timeline: Day one.
Rhu checked his schedule for the last time before exiting his office on the Valiant in preparation for leaving the ship. He had meetings with Tesh, Vice Admiral Th’keliss and then the Betezoid Ambassador. On his way, he had a courtesy call with the station’s Chief of Operations and a few other personas that would take him until mid-afternoon. Then he had to make the rounds on Earth.
They’d docked at the station four hours ago and he’d dismissed the crew, save for the fire watch. The Valiant had to keep a pair of security personnel aboard the station and there were another pair on duty outside the airlock, all due to the cloaking device. He let his feet take him through the ship, checking the bridge, which was fully powdered down and engineering, ensuring everything was locked down.
Finally he arrived at the lock, carrying his day bag over one shoulder. The brace of guards there seemed in decent enough spirits and let him out into the concourse. He reviewed the guards there, then made his way out and headed toward base operations.
In simple robes, now Rhu waited in the gardens of the Betezoid mission on Earth, enjoying the weather as he walked through the maze that had drawn him through a couple of open air buildings and now to a terraced office.
A slim man, slightly shorter than Rhu dressed in a brown on brown suit looked up and smiled as he arrived. Waiving a hand at his desk to put it in low power mode, the blonde man with striking good looks stepped forward and said, “Betezoid consul, Etrul Rovut, Captain Tyree. Nice to meet you and thank you for finding me.” He smiled, lips quirking as he projected the small play on words.
Rhu caught the meaning without needing the subtle telepathic prompting. “I like walking mazes, Consul Rout. Please call me Rhu, sir. I’m out of uniform and on leave, after all,” Rhu said, trying to size the man up. He was well shielded, as he should be though he did present a calm, competent manner.
“Rhu then. And call me Etrul. At least within the grounds,” Etrul said with a smile, gesturing Rhu toward a padded bench off to one side. “And you are right. On leave. I was privileged to see some of Valiants after action reports and would like to commend you and your crew. They wear many hats and get around.”
“We do try,”…Etrul,” Rhu said, trying it out carefully. He’d read the brief FI had forwarded to him on Betezoid’s mission to Earth. The consul was of an old family with traditions in public service. The man himself had ties to Betezoid intel as well. Rhu had NOT gotten that bit from FI or Fleet intel.
Smiling, the consul sat on the bench edge and they looked out over the gardens. “We want Valiant to feel our appreciation. The good work you and your crew do, for the President no less,” This last was said with another smile and a telepathic equivalent of a nod and wink, “Is a good thing. It shows he’s taken some matters serious and is working to at least verify concerns. Betezoid appreciates THAT. With so many member worlds and so much going on, we wish to ensure our voices are heard.”
The consul paused and Rhu could feel the unsettlement of Etrul’s mind at that subject. “You have received briefings on the unrest that ebbs and flows through the Council. I don’t think we need to discuss that.”
Rhu nodded in agreement, wondering where all of this was going. It was very unusual for a minor ships commander to be invited to meet a diplomatic, even with Valiant being adopted by the people of Betezoid. “I do sir. And I likely get a little more than a normal Escort classes commander would. But, and take no offense, as a rule that’s background noise above my pay grade. The work we do..well it’s helpful to know how something might affect things one way or another, but we don’t make policy. We just follow orders.”
“Yes, yes,” Etrul said amiably. “But it’s good to know the broader strokes. To that end, that’s why I wished to meet you. Put a face to names. And while I won’t have time to tour your ship on this visit, I do want to help you and your crew enjoy your time in Sol system. To that end I’d like to offer you the assistance of one of our interns. Levori Se. Been with us for six months and has another four to go before she begins her training at Star Fleet Academy.
Rhu blinked at that and opened his mouth, but the consul held up his hand, staving off words that Rhu hadn’t quite figured out yet.
“She’s young, but her parents were both diplomats and she’s well grounded in the life. We have her handling some minor scheduling for you and your crew. She’s been making some connections and drawing up some things that might appeal to your crew while they visit.” Etrul touched his chest and said, “I and her parents would take it as a personnel favor if you would take her on as your temporary yeoman while in Sol. The Academy will allow her to wear her cadet uniform early for official functions and she would get a brief meeting with a ship that is important to our people. You have several aboard that have ties to our people, like yourself I believe. I think it’s important she experience your ship.”
“Oh,” Etrul said almost as an afterthought. “In ten days, the Tholian Assembly representatives will be arriving via shuttle. You and your officers are invited to attend with the mission. I look forward to seeing you there. Thank you, Captain.”
Rhu throttled his temptation to sigh. “Yes sir, delighted,” he lied with a smile on his face. The consul had lumped a whole lot of dross in that last minute.
“Good. Good,” Etrul said, moving to stand and Rhu hastily did as well. The two men faced one another formally and bowed. “Thank you, Captain…Rhu. We do appreciate it. Enjoy your leave,” the consul said by way of dismissal, before smiling and stepping back to his work station.
Rhu walked across the terrace and re-entered the maze, winding his way through the foliage, statuary and foliage, his sandals crunching on the gravel.
He was on vacation and felt like he needed a vacation from the vacation.
A solo post by:
Commander Rhupert Tyree
Master and Commander
USS Valiant.
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